What is Cognitive behavioral therapy?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, also known as CBT, is arguably the most researched, validated, and respected form of psychological therapy today. CBT is a form of counseling that has proven effective in treating a large variety of issues, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. And you guessed it, even migraines!
In a nutshell we could write an entire encyclopedia about this topic. Cognitive behavioral therapy shows us how our thoughts can impact our feelings and behaviors. CBT therapists teach clients how they can identify, understand, and alter their thinking as a powerful method for producing more positive feelings and healthier behaviors in their lives.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for Migraines
Clinical trials performed over the course of many years has yielded scientific data that CBT can be highly effective in helping people with migraines. It can help in reducing the intensity of migraines, migraine related disability, and the amount of migraines people have. The American Headache Society discusses how cognitive behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful for those suffering with migraines.
You might be asking yourself: What the hell does therapy have to do with migraines, which is a medical issue? Well, remember what we mentioned a moment ago, cognitive behavioral therapy isn’t just about thoughts and feelings. CBT also focuses on how behaviors can impact our overall well being, and this is where migraines come in.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for Migraines
Clinical trials performed over the course of many years has yielded scientific data that CBT can be highly effective in helping people with migraines. It can help in reducing the intensity of migraines, migraine related disability, and the amount of migraines people have. The American Headache Society discusses how cognitive behavioral therapy can be extremely helpful for those suffering with migraines.
You might be asking yourself: What the hell does therapy have to do with migraines, which is a medical issue? Well, remember what we mentioned a moment ago, cognitive behavioral therapy isn’t just about thoughts and feelings. CBT also focuses on how behaviors can impact our overall well being, and this is where migraines come in.
The link between migraines & our behaviors
As with so many other serious medical issues, if we suffer from migraines, the behaviors we engage in can really mess us up. The other, happier side of this coin is that we can often improve our physical well-being by modifying our behaviors also. Migraines are no exception to this rule!
Migraine behavioral triggers
As a therapist and coach who specializes in migraines, one of the things I focus on with my migraine clients is helping them understand their migraine triggers. And also what helps prevent them.
Below are behavioral triggers to migraines:
- Stress!!!
- Not getting enough sleep
- Using your computer or cellphone without the proper eyewear to protect you
- Eating foods that trigger migraines
- Drinking caffeine
- Not drinking enough water
Fortunately, changes in behavior can also help reduce the intensity and frequency of migraine headaches. Below are just a few ways to do this:
- Making yourself a priority and engaging in self-care to reduce your stress and anxiety
- Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Having a consistent sleep schedule so you are fully rested
- Having a meditation and mindfulness routine
- Following a migraine diet and avoiding the foods that trigger your headaches and migraines
- Wearing proper eyewear when on the computer or your cellphone. I highly recommend the company Axon Optics. They are backed by research and data and are specifically made for people who suffer with migraines! And they have lots of cute different styles to pick from. I am wearing mine now lol.
A systematic approach to migraine treatment through CBT
One of the characteristics of cognitive behavioral therapy is that it tends to be systematic. A CBT therapist won’t spend hours and hours talking about your childhood or what went wrong with your high-school crush. CBT is solution-focused, goal oriented, and present-centered.
This means that cognitive behavioral therapists want to know what’s going on right now and in your recent past. Of course, they will also explore things that are farther back in your past that may have had an impact in your life now. But they won’t spend 30 sessions on it. The goal is to process it and move forward.
Rather than allowing a client to carry on just venting about what went wrong in their day for an entire session, a CBT therapist will teach you practical techniques. This is in order to challenge your negative thinking or unhealthy behaviors you no longer want to engage in. You can vent to your family and friends for free! You want a professional to give you solution focused techniques to help you reach your goals. To learn more about cognitive behavioral therapy visit my page where I explain how it works and how it can help you.
Anxiety & migraines
Unchecked stress can become unmanageable and lead to anxiety. And just as stress is a trigger for migraines, anxiety is too. As a therapist that specializes in anxiety, I cannot tell you how common it is for a client of mine to suffer from both anxiety and migraines.
Fortunately, CBT is extremely effective at combating anxiety. There is an endless amount of scientific research that shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best approaches to treating anxiety. If you want to learn more about the treatment of anxiety, click here to visit my page.
Anxiety & migraines
Unchecked stress can become unmanageable and lead to anxiety. And just as stress is a trigger for migraines, anxiety is too. As a therapist that specializes in anxiety, I cannot tell you how common it is for a client of mine to suffer from both anxiety and migraines.
Fortunately, CBT is extremely effective at combating anxiety. There is an endless amount of scientific research that shows that cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the best approaches to treating anxiety. If you want to learn more about the treatment of anxiety, click here to visit my page.
Cognitive behavioral therapy targets the vicious cycle of migraines.
In order to understand how effective treatment through CBT can be for migraines, it’s important to consider the vicious cycle that any chronic medical conditions can create.
Ask anyone who has experienced chronic migraines and they will tell you. Migraines are a bitch to deal with. The pain makes it hard to work, focus, and enjoy life. Lack of productivity creates stress, inability to enjoy everyday life can cause depression, and the fear of recurring migraines can lead to serious anxiety. All this in turn triggers more migraines which is the never ending vicious cycle.
CBT directly targets these emotional symptoms to interrupt the vicious migraine cycle. A cognitive behavioral therapist can provide you with the tools to dismantle anxiety and fear producing thoughts. Then formulate a plan that directly targets your headache triggers and prevention methods.
Get a therapist who can do both
Suppose you’re seriously tired of suffering from migraines, and you’re ready to take advantage of all the powerful and proven strategies that CBT can offer. In that case, you should work with a therapist who specializes in both cognitive behavioral therapy and migraines.
Migraine coaching and CBT are each their own worlds, and extensive volumes have been written on both these topics. Doctors, neurologists, behavioral therapists, and nutritionists have been studying and treating migraines for decades. Meanwhile, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and other mental health researchers have done study after study proving the effectiveness of CBT for a huge variety of issues.
These two worlds have come together, as researchers from both fields have discovered that CBT is a powerful anti-migraine treatment. Unfortunately, there are very few of us who specialize in both CBT and migraines.
Get a therapist who can do both
Suppose you’re seriously tired of suffering from migraines, and you’re ready to take advantage of all the powerful and proven strategies that CBT can offer. In that case, you should work with a therapist who specializes in both cognitive behavioral therapy and migraines.
Migraine coaching and CBT are each their own worlds, and extensive volumes have been written on both these topics. Doctors, neurologists, behavioral therapists, and nutritionists have been studying and treating migraines for decades. Meanwhile, psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors and other mental health researchers have done study after study proving the effectiveness of CBT for a huge variety of issues.
These two worlds have come together, as researchers from both fields have discovered that CBT is a powerful anti-migraine treatment. Unfortunately, there are very few of us who specialize in both CBT and migraines.
My 3 part system for migraines based on CBT
If you’re suffering from migraines, I want to help you reduce your suffering ASAP! I created a 3 part system to help my clients get control of their migraines and break free from the vicious cycle.
My 3 part system to help you with your migraines is made up of the following parts:
- Help you learn about your triggers. There are triggers you can control, for example how much sleep you get or what you eat. And there are triggers you can’t control, like the weather. We will come up with a plan on how to deal with both when you are faced with them.
- Learn about your options when it comes to medical and health professionals that can help you. Also learn how to communicate with them in order to be your own best advocate. There are many professionals that can help you on your path to controlling your headaches and migraines. Neurologists, therapists, nutritionists, and acupuncturists can all be part of your support team.
- Learn relaxation tools to reduce your stress levels. I can’t say it enough…stress is one of the biggest triggers to migraines! I will arm you with a great toolbox of natural ways to learn to feel calmer and more centered. There are also a bunch of tips and tricks I can teach you to reduce your migraines that are all natural and medication free.
Trust me, I get it.
In our post-graduate studies, most therapists learn that there are two things we avoid: saying “I get it” or “I know how you feel” is one of them. Self-disclosure is another thing that they tell us not to do because it can take the focus off the client. Well, I’m about to break both of those rules!
When it comes migraines, I can honestly say that I get it! I suffered from a rare form of migraines for over half my life going misdiagnosed. Fortunately for my clients, this means I can empathize with their struggles in a unique way. And I am so so passionate about helping you overcome your migraines. Due to my own journey, I learned what it takes to overcome migraines and I want to help you get there too. Let’s be warriors together!
Find the Relief You Deserve. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Can Help You and Your Migraines Today.
With therapy for anxiety, self esteem, or migraines, I can help you build an arsenal of tools you can use to achieve the life you deserve. Believe me. You got this!
CBT for Migraines in Ft. Lauderdale & available online to all in the U.S.
I hope reading this blog has provided you with two things: some practical information about CBT’s effectiveness for migraine treatment, and hope. You don’t have to keep canceling plans with your loved ones. You don’t have keep being less productive at work. Or staying locked up in a dark room with unbearable pain. You can change your story and get the help you deserve.
Whether it’s with me or with another CBT trained migraine coach, I encourage you to take advantage of this type of therapy and coaching to overcoming your own migraines.
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you with my 3 part system for migraines call 954-526-4006 to schedule a free 20 minute phone consultation or fill out the contact form on my contact page. I look forward to being a part of your journey of a life that you deserve.
CBT for Migraines in Ft. Lauderdale & available online to all in the U.S.
I hope reading this blog has provided you with two things: some practical information about CBT’s effectiveness for migraine treatment, and hope. You don’t have to keep canceling plans with your loved ones. You don’t have keep being less productive at work. Or staying locked up in a dark room with unbearable pain. You can change your story and get the help you deserve.
Whether it’s with me or with another CBT trained migraine coach, I encourage you to take advantage of this type of therapy and coaching to overcoming your own migraines.
If you would like to learn more about how I can help you with my 3 part system for migraines call 954-526-4006 to schedule a free 20 minute phone consultation or fill out the contact form on my contact page. I look forward to being a part of your journey of a life that you deserve.
Therapy & Coaching at Essence of Healing Counseling Services
Roberta Alves is a Therapist and Development Coach at Essence of Healing Counseling, in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, FL. She is also a Certified Anxiety Specialist who uses the solution focused and evidence based therapy called cognitive behavioral therapy. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is proven to be extremely effective in treating anxiety and improving self-esteem. Roberta provides counseling services to her clients who live in Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding South Florida areas through telehealth counseling via online video and phone sessions. She also provides coaching services to clients throughout the country via online video and phone sessions. If you want to learn proven techniques to overcome stress, improve your self-esteem, and achieve your goals, call (954) 526-4006 to schedule an appointment today.
